Archaeological Excavation, Cambridgeshire

Background

St Neots, a market town in Cambridgeshire, has a rich history dating back to the Anglo-Saxon period. Located on the banks of the River Great Ouse, the town developed around a Benedictine priory founded in the 10th century, and its market was granted a charter in the 12th century. Given the town’s historical importance and the proximity of the site to known heritage assets along the High Street, archaeological evaluation was a necessary step before any modern development could proceed at Windmill Row.

The initial phase of work involved a programme of evaluation trenching, which aimed to uncover any archaeological remains that could be impacted by the proposed development. This phase was followed by a full-scale excavation after the discovery of significant features, with the findings providing important contributions to the historical understanding of St Neots.

Archaeological Evaluation: Key Discoveries

The evaluation trenching uncovered substantial Post-Medieval activity, including four distinct structures with masonry remains. These structures matched features shown on 19th-century maps, suggesting their use in that period. Other finds included a series of pits, ditches, and a single posthole, which were predominantly dated to the Post-Medieval period. Key findings from this phase included:

1. Structures and Masonry: The four structures identified during the evaluation appeared to be domestic or small industrial buildings dating from the 19th century. The masonry matched structures visible on historic maps of the area, contributing to an understanding of the Post-Medieval development of Windmill Row and its surroundings.
2. Pits and Ditches: Numerous pits and ditches were found across the site, and thought likely to date to the Post-Medieval period. A single ditch, however, was believed to be earlier, likely dating to the Medieval period and possibly forming a boundary associated with the early development of the town.

Archaeological Excavation: Further Findings

Following consultation with the County Archaeologist, it was agreed that a more detailed programme of archaeological excavation would be necessary. This excavation was completed in July 2024 and revealed a broader range of features, providing further insight into the historical phases of occupation on the site.

1. Saxon and Medieval Features: One of the most significant outcomes of the excavation was the discovery of possible Saxon features, as well as additional Medieval remains. Though relatively sparse, these features provide exciting evidence of early activity in the area, which could relate to the earliest development of the settlement. Pottery and other small finds, along with a series of ditches and postholes, indicate occupation or use of the site during this period, adding to the growing body of evidence of early St Neots.
2. Post-Medieval and Modern Development: The full excavation confirmed the Post-Medieval nature of the majority of the site, with additional finds related to industrial activity. These finds reflected the growth of St Neots during the 19th and early 20th centuries, driven by the town’s position as a regional market centre.
3. Impact on Understanding of St Neots’ Development: The combination of Post-Medieval structures and earlier features reflects the layered history of St Neots. The finds from this site contribute to an emerging picture of the town’s development, from its origins through to its Post-Medieval growth as a centre of trade and industry.

Our Role

Our role in the project was to oversee the archaeological work on behalf of our client, ensuring their interests were effectively represented throughout. We also successfully negotiated a balanced approach to the archaeological requirements with the County Archaeologist, ensuring the work remained proportionate to the significance of the findings. The fieldwork has now been completed, and the County Archaeologist has signed off on this phase. As a result, we have successfully fulfilled the on-site archaeological requirements, allowing our client to move forward with their construction plans. The final report is expected in early 2025. 

Conclusion

The archaeological evaluation and excavation at Windmill Row in St Neots have yielded a rich array of findings, highlighting the multi-period use of the site since at least the Medieval period. The identification of Post-Medieval structures that correspond with historic mapping has provided valuable confirmation of the town’s development in the 19th century. At the same time, the discovery of Saxon and Medieval features offers exciting insights into the earlier phases of settlement in St Neots, particularly in relation to the town’s formative years.

This case highlights the importance of contacting a professional archaeological consultant on developments within historic town centres, such as St Neots. Through our diligent project management, we have been able to preserve key aspects of the town’s heritage whilst enabling modern development to proceed in a sensitive and informed manner. The discoveries made during this project will contribute to the wider understanding of the historic development of St Neots and provide an important resource for future research into the town’s past.

Archaeological post excavation reporting is currently ongoing and expected to be completed in early 2025. We look forward to completion of the report and being able to share these findings in more detail with the local community. 

We’re here to help you: If you require assistance for your development project, our team is here to help. To speak with one of our expert consultants, please call us at 0808 164 1288 or email us at hello@hea-llp.com. 

Internal Project Reference: FL12458.